Vegetable Garden Companion for Planting Bell Peppers, Arizona Cooperative Extension: Marigolds and Nematode Management, North Dakota State University Master Gardener Program: Companion Planting, Washington State University Clark County Extension: Pot Marigold, Flowers Recommended for Vegetable Gardens. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month. Mavis, I absolutely rely on Marigolds to help with pest. The French Marigold variety is recommended for keeping whiteflies away from tomatoes, and they protect the health of the soil under the plants. Using Marigolds to Control Bugs on Your Tomato Plants. I know that they will attract certain bugs, but it keeps them off of my edibles, so I am okay with them being under attack. They don't like the smell. In addition to repelling certain bugs, Marigolds do their fair share in helping with feeding the beneficial bugs. How to Control Pests & Disease for Marigolds. Hang out with Mavis & Lucy right in your Inbox! Planting … Flag. They are also great to put somewhere that deer might come by since deer don’t like either the smell or the taste of them. Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) is not a true marigold, but produces single-petaled yellow and orange flowers that are similar to the marigold flower. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) and French marigolds (Tagetes patula) release a toxin that kills nematodes, microscopic roundworms that live in the soil and damage the roots of plants. Marigolds are often used as companion plants in gardens because of their reputation for deterring certain garden pests. Marigolds – The marigold is probably the most well-known plant for repelling insects. Share on ThriftyFunThis page contains the following solutions. Nannette Richford is an avid gardener, teacher and nature enthusiast with more than four years' experience in online writing. I have planted French Marigolds in between my tomatoes for years. 2. 5 Comments. Richford holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education from the University of Maine Orono and certifications in teaching 7-12 English, K-8 General Elementary and Birth to age 5. Pin. Learn how your comment data is processed. Marigolds (Tangetes spp. Do they really benefit the garden as a repelling machine or are … The aroma is unpleasant for aphids and whiteflies, so it’s recommended putting them at the perimeter of your vegetable garden to create a protective barrier. You can see more photos of her parents garden HERE. The smell is what offends most pests. By attosa [1,231 Posts, 5,333 Comments] April 15, 2016. They add some nice color to otherwise just green plants. What it is: Marigolds are a popular garden flower as they are cheap to obtain and contain vibrant orange hues. If you want to use Marigolds in your garden as pest control, make sure you get a highly scented variety. When people talk about plants that repel garden pests, marigolds are a classic. One of the ways you can control the pest population in your garden is to use plants and flowers that naturally deter and/or attract the pests. One of the ways you can control the pest population in your garden is to use plants and flowers that naturally deter and/or attract the pests. When I use them, I kind of use them like the sacrificial lamb of the garden. To keep Mayflies from zooming around your head and biting you, put a couple of marigolds in your hat. Planting pot marigolds in or near the garden may offer protection against insect pests. ), classic bedding annuals, thrive in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil. This is a page about using marigolds to control bugs on your tomato plants. What Does Days to Maturity Mean on a Seed Packet or Vegetable Starts? Marigolds attract pests like snails and spider mites–which can be problematic, if you want your Marigolds to be purely for aesthetic reasons. But the protection comes when the marigolds are tilled into the soil after blooming. This flower is going to be the star of my garden. Copyright © 2020 One Hundred Dollars a Month - Disclosure Policy - Design by Sharon Hujik, Mavis Garden Blog - Harvesting the Last of the Winter Squash, Mavis Garden Blog - Garden Seeds I Still Need to Plant. Pictured above is One Hundred Dollars a Month reader Anastasia’s mother in her Glazov, Russia garden. Menu Ask a Question Share a Post Account Search. This is a guide about marigolds for pest control. Marigolds may also be somewhat effective as a trap crop for certain pest species. That way, they are on the front line. Marigolds (Tangetes spp. Email. ), classic bedding annuals, thrive in full sun in fertile, well-draining soil. Marigolds May Be an Effective Trap Crop. Now that I have chickens, I am going to plant tons of marigolds all in the garden and around the house. They will circle your head and leave. I got my seeds from Botanical Interest, the best seed company ever! Proponents of companion planting to control insect pests recommend planting marigolds and other strongly scented herbs around the garden, in alternating rows or in the same row as vegetables to mask the natural scent of vegetables, as many insects rely on scent to find food. Required fields are marked *. Petunias are also a plant that is good for deterring insects. It’s the circle of life all in one little flower. I love the idea of using natural gardening methods to deter pests. Save. 6. They provide nectar and contribute to the overall pollination of your garden. What it’s good for: Plant the scented varieties of marigolds to deter pests. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) They are known to attract lacewings, lady beetles and parasitic wasps, all of which offer protection against the damaging effects of insect pests by eating the eggs, larvae or adult insects. If you choose marigolds for your garden they must be scented to work as a repellant. Marigolds spread so nicely on their own. I ring my garden with them and I also plan on interspersing them among my tomato plants this summer since I’m trying them in a new spot. Marigolds – a classic for pest control. I do companion planting and have found it really helps. The thing that you have to remember with organic gardening is that it kind of takes a little more patience and tweaking than just obliterating the problem with a quick solution of chemicals. Furthermore, the root secretes a substance that acts … Growing marigolds during the summer and tilling them into the soil in the fall may offer protection against nematodes the following season. Marigolds. Happy Gardening! Marigolds are one flower that make snakes wander elsewhere. Mexican marigolds are said to offend a host of destructive insects and wild rabbits as well. According to North Dakota State University Master Gardener Program, pot marigolds deter beetles, tomato worms and other garden pests. They both deter some pests from even entering your garden, and attract others {kind of like the Pied Piper of flowers, leading the pests away from your edible … The practice of interplanting marigolds with vegetables to deter insect pests may be standard for many gardeners, but scientific evidence supporting the practice is lacking. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. They may provide protection from insect damage in other ways. The bugs that they provide nectar for, in turn, prey on pests you don’t want in your garden. Marigolds are highly fragrant and release a strong scent that may mask the scent of vegetable plants.